Heroin Overdose Antidote Bill Passes in Minn. Senate

A bill aimed at putting an antidote to heroin and opiate overdoses in the hands of more first responders in Minnesota passed unanimously in the state Senate Tuesday.

The legislation expands the use of naloxone, the antidote, to emergency crews and citizens. During a heroin overdose, opioids block too many receptors in the brain, which makes the person stop breathing. When the naloxone goes in, it takes the place of the opioids so the person can breathe normally.